The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1887-09-04
STILL THE DRY BENCH.
A Proposition to Tap the Artesian
-5 & Well. t.'ss So


To the Editor of THE HERALD. s5.a
The cry goes up from nearly every
quarter of the city, that there is q
scarcity of water, some say no water
II makes one think, if not say. some
thing, to hear the cry and see the water.
If water is scarce, why not take care OF
it? If it is of value in the houses, iaun-
dries, baths, etc., why not show by
actions, as well as words, that there is
none to spare for waste; but on the con-
trary I see the water wasted shame
fully, an d, it is nobody's business, no
one seems to care where, when, or how
it is profusely wasted as long as it can
be kept off the dry benches. On Friday
morning, at o'clock, saw the water
running to waste and washing down
the street east OF Mr.. Schettler's for
twenty rods. l had to jump
from hill to hill to get past
while crossing the street. When
on South Temple the streams
of City Creek water were nearly
| a rod wide. The lawn hydrants seemed
to have been playing all night and then
were in full force. Now, that is none
of my business; but if one little stream
such as would run through a half-inch
pipe, is known to run for ten minutes
for q lot on the dry bencher, the city
is alarmed and so excited that it is no.
| ticeable even to a stranger that some
thing is up. Yes, there is, they have
our water on the dry bench, and if it
costs ever so much to do it, we
must protect ourselves. 1t is scandal
GUS for them to have any water.
The worst feelings are engendered. I
have seen it for years past as it is now.
We have prayed to heaven for help, call
ing for the springs of the earth to be
opened. It has been promised US; it
has been fulfilled; they are opened;
there is more water; there is also more
population. The last arrivals. like the
first, want water, but it is not to be had
for prior right" owns it all, and has
done for many years; and late arrivals
have no water rights unless they have !
money to buy them with. We talk |
about booms, about increase o& bust
ness in every department, about build |
ing booms, railway booms, ETC., every |
other boom than the boom of the |
waters. They boom in the early sum-
mer; they 60 booming down to the Great |
Salt Lake where they are not wanted.
No effort is put forth to pre-
vent it, and when they are done
we are short of water. And it is my
water, | have corner on that water
and you can't have it, but I'll spill 1t
about. III throw it away, I'll waste it
as much as I like, because it is mine.
One way to overcome this prior right"
business was tried about ten years since.
1t cost $250,O00. This was to supply
water without prior rights for the
suffering poor who were elated by the
prospect. What, if it was sneeringly
called sucker juice" it was good
enough for the, poor Inhabitants OF the
bench lands, but alas ''prior right"
and the temptation was so
strong that the water was cast down to
establish mill power, and theland bought
by the City Fathers on both sides of this
fall, as likely at some distant day
to bring to the city a revenue,
The poor fools who voted for this $3.50,
BOO little thought what the wisdom"
of the city fathers would do with it just
before it reached the city. 1t could, at
less expense, have been brought away
up on the bench lands, but the poor
held them, for they were dry.
Now We know that was done, by the
wisdom of an obsolete Council. So we
do not blame the Council for it; but the
superior wisdom of this Council, gained
OF the failure of their fathers, fairly
3utdoes them. They say nothing and
seem to mean not to do anything, while
5he losses entailed upon the benchers is
simply terrific. There is plenty
Of water to save our shade and
ruit trees. There is plenty of
10 no oil
grave yard. Wells could be utilized,
The canal could be brought round to
supply that portion of the Tenth and
Eleventh Wards with water for irriga-
lion, lawn sprinkling, etc.; but no, the
cry is, we have no water, and next
year, and the next, and so on, will pass if
We do not agitate, and no one will care
or our troubles and hopes unless we
Keep grum bling, agitsting and scolding.
To quiet us just before election time we
nay have some kind promises, but when
We have voted for the return of the
BOWS. the same old tale will be told; the
same losses entailed; the same inhu-
nanity shown as heretofore. Perhaps
he people, realizing the truth, as 1t :
has been written about SO much, may
lot play the fool again as they have done
before; but place men in office who
Will serve them 1alInIully, anu not
mock at their calamity and sheer and 9
augh at the losses entailed through
heir malversation in Office.
Why not do something now2 1t would
lot be ruinous expense to run tunnel
nto that well on the bench. | do not
propose the expenditure of the peoples
axes for engines and powerful pumps ,
With engines, firemen, coal transporta-
ion and many other minor and con-
inusl expenses, but run tunnel in
and let the water run out; you know it :
s there, many hundred feet of
t. Or is there a difficulty {
n procuring competent engineers
capable Of striking the water? or what
excuse can be offered? Would some
,ne claim prior right" to it? This is {
700 nonsensical to be entertained. Why :
ion't some one hurry up and prove that
hey have chartered prior rights In Z
his chartered city "prior rights" If
,nce proven, would hasten the ruin of !
our beautiful city, and put deadlock
IN her present prospect of prosperity.
There would be no new arrivals OF the :
zone and sinew of prosperity. They
I-Ol